A horse that was purchased for $40,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company claimed top honors at one of the most lucrative horse races in the world this weekend.
White Abarrio won the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic for 3-year-olds and up on Saturday afternoon in Santa Anita, California. The victory was worth $3,120,000, according to the organization.
The horse, which was ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr. and trained by Rick Dutrow, completed the mile-and-a-quarter track in 2:02:57.
Bred at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky, White Abarrio was purchased for $7,500 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s Winter Mixed Sale in 2020. The horse was sold again for $40,000 as a 2-year-old at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales in March 2021.
White Abarrio is no stranger to the winner’s circle, having already claimed first place at The Whitney Stakes held in Saratoga Springs, New York in August of this year. In total, the horse has earned nearly $5 million over its career, including $3.88 million in 2023 alone.
The 2023 Breeders’ Cup World Championships were the 40th installment of the race series. The event featured 14, Grade I races and a purse of $31 million in prize money.